Riddhi Kothari, DO

Lisha Jones is a licensed clinical social worker with over 23 years of extensive experience working in the mental health field. Lisha has worked with clients facing a variety of life's challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, as well as perinatal and postpartum mental health. She attended undergraduate school in Albany, GA, and graduate school in Valdosta, GA. Lisha is deeply committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can express their thoughts and feelings freely. Lisha's approach to therapy involves engaging each client with warmth and enthusiasm. She encourages them to be active participants on their journey of emotional growth, healing, and empowerment. Lisha uses therapeutic expertise and various inner-healing approaches to teach clients restorative self-care practices, exercises that cultivate emotional awareness, strategies to manage unhealthy thoughts, and methods to change undesirable behaviors. Working with Lisha, clients can expect to take away from each session a plan of action with detailed steps, easy to apply skills and practical strategies to help them manage stress, heal from hurtful experiences, improve their communication skills and strengthen boundaries in their relationships. They will gain a better understanding about how and why they feel uncomfortable emotions and why they experience strong reactions in response to those associated thoughts.

Dr. Ali-Noor Jessani, DO, completed medical school in Des Moines, Iowa, and third-year rotations in Chicago. They finished internship and residency at VCU School of Medicine in Richmond, VA, and are currently completing a forensic psychiatry fellowship in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Jessani has a conversational style that fosters trust and openness. They encourage patients to ask any and all questions and take pride in helping people understand their symptoms. Patients can expect a provider who genuinely enjoys listening to their stories.

Dr. Jessani begins by thoroughly reviewing each patient’s history, concerns, and goals during the initial session. From there, they develop individualized treatment plans tailored to align with each patient’s objectives, emphasizing collaborative care and clear communication.

Mahreen Rashid, PMHNP, has over ten years of experience treating patients with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses across inpatient, intensive outpatient, and outpatient settings. While she has cared for children, adolescents, and adults, her primary focus and passion is supporting adults with their mental health needs. She earned her medical degree and completed her training with a commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care.

Mahreen takes a collaborative approach, working closely with each patient to understand their emotional needs and medication preferences. She values a team-based approach, integrating input from patients and other care providers to create a holistic treatment plan that supports overall well-being.

During initial evaluations, Mahreen gathers a thorough history, including medical background, mental health concerns, and personal goals. She reviews past medication trials, discusses previous experiences with providers, and assesses each patient’s comfort level with new treatments. Together, she and her patients develop individualized plans to support long-term mental health and wellness.

Alanna Montalvan is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over 15 years of nursing experience, including 10+ years as a PMHNP. She has supported individuals with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma-related disorders, bipolar disorder, and chronic mental health needs across outpatient, inpatient, and psychiatric emergency settings. Alanna holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Hunter College with a PMHNP concentration and is expanding her clinical expertise through Family Nurse Practitioner training. She values patient-centered care and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Alanna prioritizes creating a warm, non-judgmental space where patients feel heard, respected, and supported. She takes a collaborative approach, partnering with patients to identify goals, explore treatment options, and build long-term wellness strategies. Open communication, transparency, and a holistic perspective that integrates emotional and physical health guide her practice. Patients can expect thoughtful, evidence-based care that considers life stressors, identity, family dynamics, and wellness behaviors.

Alanna begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand each patient’s history, concerns, strengths, and goals. She develops individualized treatment plans, including medication management, psychotherapy-informed strategies, lifestyle recommendations, and coordination with other providers as needed. Treatment goals are regularly revisited to ensure care evolves with the patient. She emphasizes empowerment and education, helping patients feel confident and informed throughout their mental health journey.

Background and credentials

Dr. James is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with 32 years of clinical experience. She earned her medical degree from Tufts University, Boston’s affiliated program and completed her residency training at Steward St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Boston, where she initiated the residency program and received the Resident Teaching Award for excellence in teaching. Throughout her career, she has served in various leadership roles, including as Chief of Psychiatry at Pro Medica Healthcare Company.

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Treatment approach

Dr. James specializes in community adult psychiatry and is deeply invested in providing comprehensive care for individuals and families. She has extensive experience working in outpatient, inpatient, consult-liaison, and emergency room settings, allowing her to tailor treatment to diverse patient needs. Her approach prioritizes holistic, patient-centered care, ensuring that each treatment plan aligns with a patient’s specific challenges and goals.

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What you can expect in a first visit

During the first visit, patients can expect a thorough psychiatric evaluation where Dr. James carefully reviews their symptoms, medical history, and treatment objectives. She fosters a compassionate and collaborative environment, ensuring that patients feel supported in their journey toward better mental health. Her extensive experience allows her to provide personalized treatment strategies, which may include medication management and therapeutic interventions tailored to each individual’s needs.

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Why Talkiatry?

We’re a virtual mental health practice that makes it easy to find great care. We combine quality and convenience to help you thrive—faster. Our providers, like this one, are highly trained experts who specialize in medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits your needs and comfort level.

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Dr. Stansberry holds the position of staff psychiatrist at Talkiatry. He is board-certified in Adult Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Stansberry's practice focuses on medication management and also incorporates supportive therapy techniques, typically in 30-minute follow-up visits. In some cases, Dr. Stansberry may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team. Dr. Stansberry received his medical degree from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He completed his residency training through the Louisiana State University/Ochsner Health Foundation Psychiatry Residency program. He has experience working in inpatient, emergency, and consult-liaison psychiatry but particularly enjoys the opportunity to work longitudinally with patients in the outpatient setting.**THIS PROVIDER CANNOT PRESCRIBE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES FOR LOUISIANA PATIENTS**